Hyundai Motor Signs MOU with US Government to Accelerate 'Hydrogen Society Implementation'

Hydrogen Electric Vehicles: Establishing US Distribution Base
Jung Eui-sun "Expecting Significant Synergy"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Hyundai Motor Company is strengthening cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), a federal agency responsible for energy-related policies, to innovate hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cell technologies and expand their global base.

On the 10th (local time), Hyundai Motor announced that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the DOE headquarters in Washington DC, USA, attended by Sunita Satyapal, Director of DOE, and Sehoon Kim, Executive Vice President of Hyundai Motor's Fuel Cell Business Division.

Hyundai Motor and DOE agreed to share empirical analysis data obtained through the operation of hydrogen electric vehicles and hydrogen charging stations with academia, government agencies, and companies, and to collaborate in spreading the competitiveness of hydrogen energy across various industries and the public, thereby enhancing innovation in hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cell technologies and increasing their global utilization. In particular, from Hyundai Motor’s perspective, strengthening cooperation with DOE is significant as it establishes a foundation to distribute its world-leading hydrogen electric vehicles throughout the United States.

Through this cooperation, Hyundai Motor will provide five hydrogen electric vehicles Nexo to DOE for demonstration purposes and support the construction of hydrogen charging stations in the 'heart' of the U.S., the Washington DC area. Additionally, it will operate expert training and workforce development programs related to the hydrogen industry.

Chung Euisun, Executive Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group (right), and Mark Menezes, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, are shaking hands in front of the hydrogen electric vehicle Nexo displayed in front of the U.S. Department of Energy building. Photo by Hyundai Motor Group

Hyundai Motor began its cooperation project for the commercialization of hydrogen electric vehicles with DOE in 2004. On this day, Chung Euisun, Executive Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, met with Mark Menezes, Deputy Secretary of DOE, at the DOE headquarters to exchange views on the necessity, vision, and direction for realizing a hydrogen society for a sustainable future.

Executive Vice Chairman Chung said, "The United States is actively promoting the popularization of hydrogen fuel cell technology, and since DOE has a high interest in the future potential of hydrogen, we expect significant synergy from this cooperation," adding, "We will strive to realize a hydrogen society at an early stage together with DOE."

In response, Deputy Secretary Menezes said, "The U.S. administration is making every effort to utilize all possible energy sources to meet diverse demands and solve challenges in the transportation sector," and added, "We are pleased to cooperate with Hyundai Motor for the advancement of hydrogen fuel cells and hydrogen technologies as well as for the sustainable mobility future of the United States." Deputy Secretary Menezes also personally drove the hydrogen electric vehicle 'Nexo' displayed in front of the DOE headquarters, accompanied by Executive Vice Chairman Chung.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.